One man in the British Virgin Islands has resorted to carrying a knife around with him to protect himself as the situation teeters on the edge of losing control.

Between 100 and 120 inmates were said to have escape a prison on the Virgin Islands after the building was partially destroyed by Irma.

Meanwhile in the US police have taken to shaming looters they captured, taking a picture of them as they sit in a cell.

Miami Police Department posted a Facebook image of nine people zip-tied in jail with the caption: ‘Thinking about looting? Ask these guys how that turned out #stayindoors.’

Footage from St Martin (above) shows large-scale looting on the streets with people freely walking through town centres taking items.

A soldier of the French Gendarmerie chases looters as they run past the devastation from hurricane Irma (Picture: Getty)

Looters are seen sitting in a jail during Hurricane Irma (Picture: Miami Police Department)

More than two dozen have been arrested for looting across Miami and Fort Lauderdale.

Countless people were caught running from a Foot Locker carrying as many pairs of sneakers as they could.

Some were filmed arriving in the parking lot and getting out of their cars with huge plastic bags.

It comes after the mayor of Tampa locked down the city with a curfew and promised to be aggressive with looters.

Bob Buckhorn said on Sunday night: ‘There is nothing worse than taking advantage of your fellow citizens at a time like this. We will not tolerate in any way, shape or form anybody we catch engaged in criminal behaviour, particularly in the areas that have been hardest-hit by this hurricane.

‘If you are out on the street as of 6pm, we are going to challenge you and find out what you’re doing out there. It’s very important that everyone stay inside until we give the all-clear.’

People caught outside after 6pm could be arrested and face misdemeanour charges.

A sign warns possible looters outside a home damaged by floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey (Picture: AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Dutch soldiers are sent to St Maarten to regain control (Picture: Zumapress.com/ Mega Agency)

Widespread looting and violence against stranded hotel guests has also reportedly swept an island left crippled by Hurricane Irma.

Looters started raiding hotels and shops in St Maarten after the Category 5 storm battered the island on Wednesday.